TalkSPORT host Simon Jordan has criticised reports claiming Newcastle will launch a summer bid for Scott McTominay, claiming it makes little sense to add a player who isn’t good enough for a side we’re trying to overtake.
The Scotsman has seen little game time under Erik Ten Hag, particularly after the signing of Casemiro, and has often been limited to minutes off the bench or during the early rounds of the cups at Man Utd.
Considering we’ve been pursuing a holding midfielder for several windows now, this would feel like an underwhelming signing. He would add to our depth and has plenty of experience, but fans fear he isn’t the quality No.6 needed to boost our hopes of becoming a top four club.
But the issue, which Jordan debates, is that trying to buy someone who is perceived as surplus to requirements at the very club you’re wanting to compete with in the next couple of years feels regressive.
Here’s what Jordan had to say when speaking on talkSPORT:
“McTominay taking Newcastle to the next level? Well, what is the next level?”
“So, they are going to take a player from a club who is competing in the same space as them, who they don’t think is good enough? How does that work then?
“(Newcastle) are competing with Manchester United. Very, very rarely do we see, at the top of the table, clubs selling players to one another. It happens now and again; (Dimitar) Berbatov and (Robin) Van Persie.
“But, in this instance, I am looking at it and saying ‘what is the next level?’ If Newcastle are competing for a Champions League space, they are going to be competing with Man United.
“So, for Newcastle to take a player from Man United – who Man United will only sell if they don’t think is good enough to be in their side – seems to be at odds with what (Newcastle) are trying to achieve.
“I think McTominay is alright. He’s a symptom of Man United going through a mediocre phase. I don’t think McTominay gets within a gnat’s hair of the elite Man United teams.
“Ultimately, he is a by-product of a very mediocre Man United period. He’s OK but he’s not a great player. I think he’s average.“
Of course some back-up players could be huge for us – the likes of Kieran Tierney would be a big upgrade and pretty much anyone on the bench at City would aid our cause.
However, this move in particular would be very uninspiring. He wouldn’t come cheap, yet it’s open for debate if he even improves our first team?
Arsenal signed Gabriel Jesus & Zinchenko who weren’t good enough for City?!?!?!!!
I trust our manager & board far more than I trust Simon Jordan.
I think there’s better players, but if McTom is who Howe wants then it’s right the board back him.
Sharpy17(Quote)
To be fair, Andrew says that in the piece, just below Jordan’s quotes.
Back-up players don’t always = bad players. But I do struggle to see how McTominay propels us into the top four. He’s really not that good.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Aye, McTominay would be seriously underwhelming, just like Burn, Targett, Joelinton, Trippier and Almiron?
Daveys **** mate(Quote)
Olly – to be fair I didn’t direct my post at Andrew, so no need to leap to his defence.
I don’t imagine for one second any player on their own propels us into the top 4, but Howe may well see him as an important piece of the jigsaw 🤷🏼♂️.
For you to say he’s really not that good is hardly fair. Of course there is better – but the lad is 26 yrs old and worked his way through the Man Utd system – he’s a PL footballer for a top 6 side – so he’s obviously doing something right.
It’s entirely possible Howe could improve him further too.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dave – that’s as maybe, but all have improved us as a team 🤷🏼♂️
Sharpy17(Quote)
He could be a good squad player and I don’t doubt Howe could improve him, but he won’t sign to sit on the bench.
I just don’t see how he improves a key area of the side like Botman, Bruno and Isak have; and that’s the standard we’ll need to set if we want to become a top four side.
I’ll trust our recruitment team, who have got v little wrong so far, but can’t help but feel this would be pretty underwhelming.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)
Olly – I think he’s similar to Longstaff but more combative/stronger in the tackle and therefore would give better protection to our back 4.
He’d be to our right side midfield what Joelinton is to the left side.
But in terms of measurable improvement, I agree – and if a £40m fee is correct then I strongly agree. That money could be far better spent.
I suspect he may be on our radar but far from top of the list.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Jordan is correct .. the guy is 5 th choice at man Utd … Howe appears to want British players wether they are good or not .. this is bad .. Scott would be expensive and is no improvement on what we have plus way better players across Europe and cheaper .. we need more Botmans, Bruno and joelinton signings … not another bunch of Frasers and co
Mike(Quote)
for 40m no chance, for 20m yes … I’m sure that Howe would elevate him to another level just as he has done for so many of our players. I like Simon Jordan but he gets this one wrong, we need squad depth and i dont necessarily think mctominay is any worse than what we have , he’s probably on par with ah lot of them with room to improve.
Rodger that(Quote)
If howe see’s something in him then I trust his judgement. His system improves players beyond what anyone expects – Miggy and Joe were all but wrote off, they looked like flops, 2 of our best players this season. Even longstaff, willock and burn have been next level to expectations.
I’m not saying go out and pay 60m for him but 20-30 for a proven prem (British to boot) player at 26 who is likely to improve with game time and howe nurturing is a no brainer in my book.
Y’all have to manage expectations too, your closest comparable player is probably Rice, likely not interested unless we get champs and 100m+ it’s just not good business.
Slappy(Quote)